Process for disposal of sewage by micro-organisms.



0. F. STARR. PROCESS FOR DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE 'BY MICRO ORGAMSMS;

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, I914- RENEWED FEB- 12. 1117- Pai ented Apr. 17, 1917.

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OLIVER l. STARR, OF UTICA. NEW YORK, ROBINSON, OF MOUNT v 1 1.221300%; I Application filed April 10, 1914, Serial No. 830,874.

To all whom it may concern- Be it known that I. OLIvnR F. S'rAama citizen of the United States. residing at ['tica. in the county of Oneida and State of 6 New York. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for Dis. posal of Sewage by Micro-Organisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the disposal'of sewage and waste material and particularly that class of inventions which include the action of micro-organisms. such as anaerobic bacteria. and has for its object the disintegration and disposal of solid ingredients in sewage in a simple and economical manner, in less timeand with greater facility .and

ployed hereto and in such a manner that the solids are converted into liquids and the physical removal of solids becomes unnecessary and is avoided. and it comprises exposing the sewage to the action of microorganisms. such as anaerobic bacteria in a. confined space under pressure in the presence of. a fluid. such as water. capable of dissolving increased volumes of gas. such as carbon dioxid. or hydrogen sulfid. evolved during the decomposition of the sewage, whereby the micro-organisms are concentrated and maintained in a more active, condition and brought directly into cont'act with the solids to be disintegrated by prevention of isolation from water by gas which occurs from accumulation of gases when dissociation takesplace at or under ordinary atmospheric pressure. Also the concentration of action through 'contactin ingredicuts "of solids associated with" tl organisms and conserving the heat whereby the propagation of the micro-or facilitated producing increased ecom'position action. is augmented. The increasing density of the fluid vehicle through the, ac: cumulating fluid or soluble products of decomposition tend to increase the'flotation of the undecomposed solids and concentrate and condense the sanieupon and atthe" stir face in the disintegrating chamber. the decomposition products being removed and the supporting fluid densified by circulatory displacement w'thin-and throughout the de- Specifleatlon of Letters Patent.

efficiency than with other processes em- 7 e microanisms is UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ASSII IGNOR OF ONE-B ALI TO EDWARD A.

VERNON, NEW YORK.

, ritoenss FOB msrosn or snwser: BY mcBo-onenmsms.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

Renewed February-12, 1t 17. Serial No. 147.981.

com osing solids. ani the aeration of the soli s by gaseous products in which they are being dissolved i' the associated water under pressure also :ends to facilitate the solid flotation and nmint'enance thereof in the selective decomposition zone or area which is restricted an 1 under increased ressure with consequent concentration the material. micro-organisms. and heat. all of which coact to incret se the final results.

The preferred spe ies of the present invention is that which includes the employment of microorganisms of varying character and which involve the exposing of sewage to successive and relatively increased and-decreased pressure and in the absence and presence of air and light, the first step in the pr ocess being under the general conditions hereinbefore described for the initial disintegration. decomposition and dissolution of the solids and removal therefrom of the fluid products by circulatory displacement. As-an illustration of the' process' and a means whereby this process is carried out and the results obtained. the disintegration, decomposition and iemoval of solid matter from reservoirs containing the discharged fluids from water-closets and the like will be taken, reference being directed to the accompanying draw Eng;

The figure represents a longitudinal verti al section of a complete and preferred [form ofan apparatus comprisinga plurality of reservoirs and c m'nmunicating ducts in whichthe process may be, carried out;

Referring to the drawing the numeral 1 represents a recepta .le or reservoir in which solid matter is conserved and subjected to the action of micrt -organisins under pressure in a restricted area. such as shown between 8 and 11 at t] 1e top of the fluid in receptacleor chambei '1. at selective'temperatures and particularly to that variety of [micro-organisms known as anaerobic bacteria, the chamber 0 reservoir 1- being closed bythe. cover .closure 9 and provided with the inlet 2 and the outlrt 3. Theinl'et 2 is pro- -'vided with. the vet t 6 and communicating with thereservoir a chamber 1 at apoint which will above' the bottom andbelow the surface of the fluid in the chamber, as is also the outlet 3, ,whereby materials are introduced suflicientl below the surface of the d omposition've icle, and the discharge therefiom of the products being at points which will not interfere with or disturb the decomposing action of the micro-organisms. The outlet 3 communicates with a second purifying chamber or reservoir 4 into which the fluid products produced in-the chamber or reservoir 1 are conveyed and there subjected to the action of air and light in order to destroy the anaerobic organisms and subjectthe product to another variety of organism, such as aerobic bacteria, light-and air beingintroduced into the chamber or n reservoir 4-through the chamber 12 by means ably of the perforated cover 7 which is preferconstructed of heavy glass in order to facilitate the passage through of light and introduction of the same into the chamber or reservoir 4.

The chamber or reservoir 4 is provided with the restricted and constricted siphonic discharge duct 5, so constructed and adjusted as to automatically discharge the accumulated liquid products of the decomposition at intervals and maintain a column of back pressure against which it is dis charged, whereby the pressure at the closed or sealedjsurfa'ce at the top ofthe fluid in chamber 1 as shown at lLagainst the gasethereof by the heat non-conductive cover or.

' cated by the dark area along the 'angular ous cushion 10 is maintained and the solids rising and accumulating under the seal 11 at the top of the decomposition fluid or vehicle in the reservoir 1 are under increased pressure and where the action of the anaerobic micro-organisms isfacilitated, the gases removed by solution and the decomposition zone or area restrictedand selectively heated through the conservation seal coating 11 where the more highly heated strata of the fluid in the reservoir 1 resides, the micro-organisms thriving and acting upon solids beneath the seal as indiwall of the reservoir at 8 and across the surface between 8 and 11 as shown by the darkened lines. a

In carrying out the process sewage isin- .troduoed into the receptacle or reservoir 1 throughthe inlet 2 whereby the solid con- .tent rises and travels along the incline wall 8 to the surface 11 where it accumulates and shortly' forms a seal between the walls of' the receptacle which are progressively l1 pward diminishing. soon as av seal is formed it becomes converted radually into a solid superficial layer un er which the solids thereafter accumulate, water or other fluid from thereceptacle 1 into receptacle 4 and increasing the-pressure I upon the solids beneath the seal in an updisplacing ward direction from below. The anaerobic bacteria associated with the solids then gradually begin to accumulate and propagate and become attached to the upper portions of the walls of the receptacle as shown at 8 andbeneath the crust or seal 11. During the decomposition or disinte tion of the solid material by the anaerobic'bacteria such gases as carbon dioxid and hydrogen sulfid which are ordinarily liberated under ordinary atmospheric pressure become discome-separated and isolated by the gaseous envelopproduced are brought in close contact by the removal of such gas in the manner described and the solids concentrated or compressed in such a manner that the anaerobic bacteria are facilitated in their decomposing action and the products produced by the disintegration and decomposition are readily dissolved in the associated water, which increased density further augments th flotation and increase of pressure against the solids intervening between the crust or' seal 11 and the surface of the water or liquid in reservoir 1,. any heat which is conveyed into the reservoir with the entering sewage or which may be produced bythe action of micro-organlsms on decomposition of the solids accumulates within the strata beneath the non-heat conductive crust or seal 11 and maintains the decomposing or disintegrating strata at a selective temperature at which the anaerobic bacteria may perform its greatest work in the shortest time. As the products of decomposition or disintegration of the solids at the surface of the water-or fluid 'inchamber or receptacle 1 become dis- 1 5 solved in the water or fluid, it gradually passes out into thereservoir is through the outlet 3 between the .bottom of the receptacle and below the point at which the anae--\ robic decomposition or disintegration of the 1 solids is taking place. As the fluid enters the chamber or receptacle 4 it is subjected to the action of light and air which purifies it and --kills the anaerobic bacteria; at this point the fluid is subjected to another vaof its toxic nature and the dissolved gases oxidized and removed. From the reservoir 4 the final product of fluid nature is from time to time automatically discharged through. the siphomc' outlet 5 whichis regulated and constructed in such a manner as 1 to resistance in pressure as to discharge the fluid against a pressureor head of liquid in reservoir .4 whereby pressure is imparted 25 ing therethrough.

a hydrostatically against the solid matter beneath the crust or seal 11 in receptacle 1 and the liquid therein for the purpose of facilitating decomposition of the solid and 5 removal of 'the soluble or liquid products as hereinbefore set forth and hereafter v claimed.

discharge and fill of substances therefrom and thereto from time to time through siphon o as the fluid accumulates in the receptacle or chamber to a sufficient height to produce prexure enough to start the discharge of the material through the backchecked outlet and the air taken in such receptacle is eventually forced out upon the refilling of the receptacle with fluid through the overflow of the pressure stand pipe of the inlet 3 from the reservoir or. receptacle" 1.

This discharge and refill acts asa hydrostaticbellowsfor the aeration of the receptacle and the fluid contents therein or pass- After each discl'iarge of .fluid from chamber or reservoir l through outlet fresh air is drawn into and fills the chamber so that as the fluid enters by over-flow of standpipe 3 it is brought into close and intimate contact with the air by trickling down over the outside of the pipe into the then .air containing chamber or reservoir 4. and is incrementally oxidized. thereby killing the anaerobic bacteria and is thus thoroughly acted upon in a. continuous and automatic manner.

It will be noticed that 'the selectivepressure and heat zone for action of anaerobic.

-t0 bacteria in chamber or reservoir 1 at S and.

under the crustor seal 11 through the accumulation of floating solids results in the compres ion of the solids byupward pressure; thus bringing them in closer contact and the separation of fluid products of ,bac-

tends to enhance the floating of solids and formation of compression from accumulatiou thereof at the top of the chamber or" reservoir 1 under the seal or crust 11.

h The reservoirs as shown are constructed of concrete and provided with vitrified conduits providing inlets and outlets and communicating ducts and the receptacle 1 is 'sh'ownconstructed in a form wherebv the upper part presents less area than that at the lower so that the shortest or smallest possible surface or surface area may be we I sent'ed 1n the formation of theseahng crust and whereby the heated zone and decompositiou or disintegrating. sphere is concentrated and prevented from 'cooling or other interfering dist urbance by the liquid substances or conte Lits of the sewage which pass in and out be-l'ow this quiescent decomposition sphere wherein "the selective decomposition of the solid is performed.

The material of which the apparatus or various chambers or receptacles. are constructed may be of metal or any other substance and the form. shape or construction may be of'any character so long as the integrity of the co-acting members of the combination is ma .ntained and that they are within operat'ne and practical relation to and in (Ollll'llllllltntlOll with 'each other. one

of the importal t features being thatmeans is provided whereby the anaerobic decom position of solids may be accomplished in, the smallest space and under the greatest pressure whereby the lnost selective temperature and condition may be secured and whereby gaseous products a which might otherwise be pr )duced are dissolved and removed from th. ingredients bringing them in closer contact and preventing their isola-.- tion .by gaseous envelops whereby the propagation of the bacteria is enhanced and their decomposition action facilitated.

Having now described my invention. what I claim as new. and desire to secure bv Letters Patent. is

1. The proceas of sewage disposal which comprises excluding light and air from said sewage. disposi 1g said sewage while out of contact with lightand air in such manner as to provide a restricted anaerobic area. wherein the strface. of the liquid is ma terially smaller than the cross sectional area at the bottom of, the pool. substantially as specified. 1

2. The procers of'sewage disposal. which comprises excluding light and air from said sewage. disposing said sewage in a pool in such manner as to provide a restricted area to the uppersurface of said sewage to concentrate micro organisms within said restricted area. the surface of the liquid in said restricted r'ea being materially smaller than the cross sectional area at the bottom; of the pool and providing gaseous pressure greater than atmospheric pressure upon said. 1

restricted area beneath the scum surface. substantially as; specified. The proce of sewage disposal which comprisesdisposing said sewage in a pool in such manne' as to provide a restricted surface area. therein the surface of the liquidismaterially smaller than the cross sectional area the bottom of the u then subjecting said sewage to pressure under exclusion o 5 lightandair. then subjecting said sewagr to a non-disturbing inflow and'outflow. r

4. The proces of sewage disposal which jecting thesewage to the action of light and pool, and finally subjecting the sewage to air. p a a the action of lig ht and air.

1- The process of disposal of sewage In witness whereof I have hereunto set which comprises incrusting the surface of my hand and seal in the presence of two wit- 5 a pool 0(f1 sewage \fihile in a quiescent condinesses. j

tion; by rostatica v maintaining a pressure a a a beneath the crust from gases accumulating E STARR in the mass of the pool while excluding light Witnesses: and air by maintaining 'a' predetermined Roe'r. GILMOUR Fnymnr,

10 hydrostatic head in. the outflow from the A. W,P1'.'x1=mme. 

